Daily
Topeka
Friday, January 16th, 2026
Good morning, Topeka. Here's your local news at a glance for Friday, the 16th of January.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ Governor Kelly plus community groups marched outside the Capitol on Jan. 15 in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr; Living the Dream, Inc. hosted related events through Jan. 20 leading up to MLK Day on Jan. 19. WIBW
- ➤ Grace Community Church is hosting Night to Shine from 6 to 9 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 13 at Vaerus Aviation at Forbes Field. The event gives young people with special needs a chance to enjoy dancing and socializing in a welcoming setting (partners include the Tim Tebow Foundation). WIBW
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ Drinking Habits 2: Caught in the Act, a farcical play (featuring physical comedy and laughs) opens today at the Topeka Civic Theatre and will run until Feb. 7. WIBW
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ Eighth-grader Tierra Walker from Topeka Public Schools was named Boys and Girls Clubs Youth of the Year on Wednesday—she now advances to the state competition for college scholarships and looks to pursue her dream of becoming a writer. WIBW
- ➤ Kansas lawmakers held a statehouse hearing today on a proposed bill (SB302) to ban cellphone use during class and official school social media messages. Supporters say the ban will improve student focus while critics argue districts should create tailored policies. WIBW
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ Kansas Insurance Commissioner Vicki Schmidt said the Kansas Department of Insurance recovered $1,659,835 for Shawnee County policyholders in 2025, helping individuals secure benefits (statewide, more than $29.2 million was recovered last year). WIBW
- ➤ Westbound I-70 is closed this weekend in downtown due to work on the Polk-Quincy Viaduct project - the closure runs from 7 a.m. Saturday until 11:59 p.m. Sunday and affects the segment between N.W. MacVicar Avenue and S.E. 10th Avenue. WIBW
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ NAMI Kansas announced its funding remains secure after the Department of Health and Human Services reversed planned SAMHSA grant cuts. The non-profit can now continue offering mental health support services. WIBW
- ➤ Alliance for a Healthy Kansas brought a community art wall featuring Kansans’ health care experiences to the Statehouse Thursday to raise awareness about gaps in affordable care. The art piece will tour local libraries and public spaces in the coming days. WIBW
- ➤ The CDC’s new vaccine recommendations, announced last week, call for 11 routine vaccines for all kids and others for high-risk groups, which has prompted Topeka pediatrician Dr. Randy Schumacher at Cotton O’Neil Pediatrics to express concern. The Kansas Department of Health and Environment said current school immunizations will stay unchanged for the fall. WIBW
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The Band Perry Concert
7-10 p.m. — Prairie Band Casino & Resort — Cost info not provided — Enjoy a night with the GRAMMY-winning trio known for their genre-defying sound.
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Friday Night Comedy Showcase
8-9:30 p.m. — Cosmos Court Comedy Club — Ticketed event — Enjoy an evening of laughs with top comedians from the Midwest and beyond.
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CNA Refresher Course in Topeka
Feb 3-9 — Homestead Assisted Living & Memory Care — Course fee required — Complete essential CNA training with both online and hands-on clinical components.
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The Marshall Tucker Band Concert
7-9 PM — Prairie Band Casino & Resort — Enjoy a night of classic southern rock hits from a legendary band.
No new real estate listings today. You can submit one here.
No new job posts today. You can submit one here.
No new community announcements today. You can submit one here.
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Reveal the authorAbout Daily Topeka
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